Design and product development

The challenge:Make good products at the lowest price

The design of home furnishing products at IKEA starts with an understanding of people’s everyday needs at home, especially the needs of the majority of people, who have limited incomes and limited living spaces. This is how IKEA succeeds in offering well-designed, functional products at prices so low that most people can afford them.

In order to make products sellable and right for the IKEA identity, IKEA co-workers in product design and product development focus on price and quality, design and function, environment and health. They scrutinize every product idea with regard to the best use of raw materials and manufacturing opportunities. This is why elements of the design are often decided on the factory floor, where designers and manufacturers work together.

The IKEA range is developed by IKEA of Sweden in Älmhult, Sweden, and all positions in this work area are based there.